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Is it "if" or "when" the Tigers go to the playoffs?
Random thoughts
- Leyland should consider moving Curtis Granderson to the bottom of the batting order and leading off Placido Polanco. Granderson�s strikeouts are hindering his effectiveness as a leadoff man. Polanco makes much more consistent contact. Neither is a base stealing threat.
- Who is the Tigers Rookie of the Year, Joel Zumaya or Justin Verlander? It is really difficult to compare the value of those two as it relates to the Tigers� resurgence.
- The Tigers play a huge game Friday night at Chicago. The Lions open the preseason that night against Denver. It will be interesting to see how much the Tigers success takes away interest from the Lions. I am just thankful for TiVo so I can watch both game Friday..
- It does seem odd the Lions are starting Boss Bailey at middle linebacker. He has great speed, but struggles engaging blockers and is, at best, a spotty tackler.
posted by Pat Caputo at
3:52 AM
10 Comments:
I've thought the same thing on Boss Bailey at MLB. I'm not trying to be sarcastic or negative but my initial gut feeling is this will not be a big issue because Bailey will be injured quickly and be out for an extended period of time.
I know Bailey has amazing speed for someone of his size and the defense the Lions want to use needs a MLB that can drop deep into coverage, I just don't see him having the ability to shed blockers like Pat is talking about. I've read some people who believe he will be shedding the fullback now instead of an offensive lineman so that skill should improve. I'm just skeptical on it at this moment, but willing to see how it could work out.
My hope is that Shaun Rogers can block up the center of the line and prevent inside running which would free Bailey to go deep or sideline to sideline. If that is the case the move could be effective. Like everything with the Lions going into this season we'll have to see if the ideas and theories the new coaching staff have can be put into practice.
I hope this is correct. Aug 9th - Aug 31st. Bos plays Det 3 times. NYY - 5 LA - 3 ----------- CWS NYY - 2 Det - 7 Min - 6 ----------- NYY CWS - 2 LA - 7 Bos - 5 Det - 3 ----------- Don't know what all that says about the future but they can't win them all just as the tigs can't win them all. (too much time on my hands) Vinny
atomicrod,
you bring up a great point about bailey. if they are going to get away with this, rogers will have to swallowe up blockers. and when dan wilkinson was in there, they had two huge tackles doing that. but big daddy didn't come back. i like shaun cody's ability, but he isn't that type of tackle. it should be interesting, and i have my doubts about how that is going to work out for the lions' defense.
daver,
LOL. don't worry, the lions and their plight leave a lot of people confused. thing is, i'm still very interested in the lions. haven't lost any interest at all in what is going on out there. i'm anxious to see what they have in a live game. it's just the tigers' series with the white sox is so huge...
caputo
vinny,
good point. all the contenders have a tough schedule this month.
caputo
Pat,
I think we (Tigers) need a close run to the playoffs. I am not comfortable with this 9 game lead. Allow me if you will:
* The Red Wings blew the doors of the NHL this season - knocked out in the first round of playoffs.
* The Pistons blew the doors of the NBA this season - knocked out in round two.
Niether team was the same in the playoffs. I believe it was too much comfort time. To many games with no consequence of losing. They lost their "bite".
This is where I come at odds with myself - perhaps I need therapy. I hate it when the Tigers lose. But I honestly believe that if we clinch and coast into the playoffs with 2 weeks left of the season, we will wind up soft in the playoffs - having that competitive bite can't just be turned on and off (although if anybody could it would be Leyland)
QUESTION: Has it ever happened before that 3 teams from the same city in any of the big four pro sports (not Lacrosse, soccer or the WNBA) have held the best record in their sport in the same season?
PS - check out SI.com - a great piece by Ranny Jazayerli called "Doctoring the Numbers" on how the Tigers got here.
Pat,
I'm not sure if I'm suddenly developing a fan swagger, but not only will the Tigers appear in postseason play, but they will boast the best record in baseball. I figured that their last 50 games will produce a 34-16 record, or 110-52 overall. After 2003, and the 13 losing seasons, I think the Tigers are determined to having this season go down in Detroit sports history as "Fan Appreciation Year."
No team can touch their pitching, and as you point out, they have the depth to slip in another quality starter to bolster the current main 5.
I believe Maroth pitches tonight for Toledo, and he could be ready, if Leyland wants to throw him at the Yankees to close out the month. I'm not intimidated by the Yankees anymore! They have the luxury of stretching out the starting five, and I hope they do to keep the arms fresh. I'm not worried about Rogers for the rest of the season, and Ledezma provides an opportunity to give an extra days rest to anyone at any time.
Tonight's game is important; to hit the road with some swagger over knowing that they can beat the best consistantly. If that happens... look out White Sox and Red Sox! It's payback time; one game at-a-time.
Re: Tiger Rookie... I think Verlander is in the driver's seat.
windsorfred,
you're not alone with the feeling you have about the tigers and their best record in baseball as it relates to the pistons and red wings. and you're not alone in knowing it makes no sense you have that feeling. but here is a friendly reminder. the pistons and red wings were disappointing because they have won championships in recent years. the tigers haven't even had a winning season since 1993. how then, if they make the playoffs and don't advance past the first round, can that be a disappointing season?
garold,
i like the passion for the tigers and baseball, but you might be overshooting what they will accomplish. their schedule, through the first week of september, is very difficult. i think they will win the division, but don't expect them to keep up this pace the remainder of the season. if they do win 110 games, it would be more than the '61 yankees and sparky's best big red machine cincinnati club.
caputo
jt,
i agree and disagree with you about zumaya. i agree he overthrows sometimes because he wants to light up the radar gun. but isn't that what makes him so special and unique and interesting to watch?
caputo
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